Spark plug



Nov. 2.0, 1928.

A. s. SIMSACK SPARK PLUG Filed Feb. 21, 1927 Inventar /Warz/Sf mr a B y @M000 m? Patented' Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENToFFlcE.

ANTON S. SIIVISACK, OFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR F ONE-THIRD TO MORRIS APT, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPARK PLUG.

Application led February 21, 1927. Serial No. 169,913.-

cal connection with the main elect-rode, soY

that the incoming electricity is transformed.

One of the prominent features of this invention is that it includes an unusually novel transformer unit made expressly to cooperate -With an ordinary spark plug base of a standard dimension. f

It follows therefore, that my primary alm is to provide, as a new product of manufacture, a novel electrical current transformer unit which can be connected with an ordinary spark plug base of the type having an insulator core carrying a short main electrode section.

An equally important aim is,lhowever, to provide an exceptionally novel transformer which is particularly advantageous in that 1t changes the form of the current in such a manner that the resulting spark is somewhat in the form of a brilliant and intense flash as distinguished from a short transient or jumping spark. The invention is characterized by exceptional simplicity and convenience and ar- 3`5 rangement of the parts, and is such as to insure rapid quantity output in the manufacture, easy assembly, and inexpensive production and sale, thusinsuring a commercially successful article having` additional features and advan`tages, at a cost consistent with spark plugs now sold and marketed.

The particular details, theirmethod of assembly, and cooperation in accomplishing the transformation will become readily apparent from the following description and4 drawings.

InY the drawings A Figure 1 is a side elevation of an improved combination spark plug constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the same with portions shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on theline 3-3 of Fig. 1. i

-reference character 14, and this carries a Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the reference character 1 designates a base. This comprises the customary metallic shell, having a. Wrench engaging portion 2 on its exterior anda reduced screw threaded neck 3 at its bottom adapted to tap into the spark plug hole in the cylinder head. On the interior of this shell, is a downwardly taperedv insulation core 4 carrying the main electrode 5 which extends down in Y spaced relation to the bottom of the neck 3 for cooperation with the customary right angular 'electrode or secondary contact 6. Appropriate packing 7 is interposed between the shoulders on-the shell and core as shown in Fig. 2.

In the embodiment of the invention represented, the upper end of the electrode is en-` larged and externally screw threaded as at 8 and a portion thereof projects above the insulation core.

The transformer unit is generally designated by the reference character 9. As shown better in Fig. 2, this transformer unit comprisesa tubularcasing 1() off'appropriate insulation material open at its opposite ends. A brass plug 11` is fitted into the lower end and hermetically sealed in place in any appropriate manner. This plug 11 is provided with a central socket which receives the up-V per extended screw threaded end of the elec-v trode 8, thus coupling the unit through the medium of this electrode.

In this connection it will be noticed, ho'wever, that the lower end portion of the casingis provided with a shoulder and a steel 9o gland 12 is employed for coopera-tion therewith and for holding the unit firmly in place. The gland is `of ordinary construction. Moreover', the lower end of this casing is formed with `an annular groove. into which a packing ring 13 is fitted and this packing ring rests on top of the core 4 providing a Y tight connection.

Fitted into the upper end of the casing 10 is another brass plug, here designated by the screw threaded stud 15 with a binding nut 16 thereon. This plug, as well as the other plug is formed on its interior with a socket for reception of an adjacent end of the-insulator rod 17. A

A series'of metallic rings 18 are fitted upon this rod and held in spaced .relation by insulation washers 19, the washers being smaller in diameter than the rings. The 11o rings, in turn, are smaller in diameter than the interior of the casing, thus forming a sparking space around the peripheral portionsl of these rings and washers.

The ignition which ltakes place here of.

course eliminates' the oxygen in' this chamber, and makes a vacuum chamber of it. In addition, there is a coiled spring 21 employed and this surrounds the rod 17 at the upper end, bears against the uppermost ring, and against the under side ofthe plug.

Of course, in this invention, the usual wire terminal is connected with the plug in an ordinary manner, and the plug is tapped in the cylinder head in the customary way. However, the arrangement of the multiplicity `of disks provides for'a new action '-.in the formation of a multitude of spark gaps about the peripheral portions of the metallic disks which are arranged in the spaced relation shown, and transform the current from a direct current to ahigh frequency current. rlhe latter form of current, it is believed, is superior to that now produced, and comparative tests show that a lengthy flash is produced at the sparking points instead of a short jumping spark.

It is believed unnecessary to make a further structural analysis or to attempt to dei metallic shell 'provided with an externally screw threaded neck adapted to'be tapped into a cylinder head, a core of insulation material disposed within the shell and havingits upper end terminating in inwardly spaced relation to the corresponding end of said shell, a main elect/rode embedded in said core, and having its lower end extending down below the bottom of the shell, a secondary electrode carried by the shell and co-operating with the lirst-named electrode, and a current transforming device comprising a hollow casing having upper and lower plugs of electricity conducting material itted in its opposite ends, the lower plug and lower end portion of said casing telescoping into said shell and being disposed in abutting relation with the core and having .electrical connection with said electrode, and current transforming -means lwithin the casing embodying a multiplicity of metallic discs and intervening insulating and spacing washers, having their peripheral portions spaced from the innen wall of the casing to provide a surrounding sparking space. 1

2. A spark plug comprising a shell provided with an externally screw threaded neck adapted to tap into the screw threaded hole in a cylinder head, a core of insulation material disposed within said shell, an electrode carried by said core, a secondary electrode carried by the shell and cooperable with the iirst-named4 electrode, and a current transforming device supported within said shell, said device comprising an elongated tubular casing of insulation material, plugsfitted into the opposite open ends of the casing, said plugs being of electrical conducting material, an axially alined rod of insulation material located on the interior ofthe casing and having-its opposite ends-connected with said v plugs, a set of metallic rings fitted upon said rod, a ring on one end of the set being in electrical connection with one of the plugs, a coiled spring surrounding the opposite end of said rod and engaging the adjacent ring, and the adjacent plug, and insulation washers surrounding the rod and interposed between the rings and spacing the rings and washers being of a diameter less than the .cross sectional diameter of the interior of the casing, to provide an annular sparking space around the peripheral portions of the rings and the washers, and means on the upper plug for connection to a current supply wire.

In testimony whereof I affix my. signature.

ANTON S. SIMSACK. 

